05/18/2006: "Recall For Less In The Past"

After reading the letters and articles about the illegal meetings of the Council members on the ferry, and the Council's many questionable actions, I am left wondering why no one has started a recall petition.

Years ago Alton Boyce was recalled for committing less crimes than the current Council members. I am not interested in being involved is such an action, but I would think those that are so intense in their opinions would be.

Sincerely,

Frank Penwell
San Juan Island

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Editor,

On the oft raised topic of recalling one or more of the current county councilors, I wonder about a couple of issues. Could the established legal concept of "abuse of discretion" be applicable as a substantial basis for a viable recall campaign? Would a recall campaign for a particular councilor be county-wide because he was elected (or appointed) on a county-wide commissioner basis? Or would he be subject to a recall campaign from a valid petition and ballot of the voters from within the district he now represents as a county councilor? (Hmmm. That leaves me thinking that maybe half – 3 of 6 districts – of the voters of San Juan County are without direct representation during this transition period. What could possibly go wrong?)

I join Frank Penwell in that "I am not interested in being involved in such an action, but I would think those that are so intense in their opinion would be."

Sincerely,
Mike Stolmeier
Orcas Island